Ohinemuri Regional History Journal 15, June 1971
OUR CONTRIBUTOR PROF. JOAN STEVENS, M.A., is senior lecturer in English at Victoria University. Widely travelled and well-read she is an authority on literary matters and we are very grateful for her permission to quote from her Introduction to the 1952 edition of "Poenamo". She has a close link with this district, for many years owning a holiday cottage at Waihi Beach. We, and all New Zealanders, have good reason to be proud of her.
MRS. ANNETTE TOOTELL spent much of her early life in Wellington where she joined the "Dominion" as Asst. Women's Editor and Ed. of Children's Page. After marriage she lived in Napier and Rotorua before returning to Wellington. The major family hobby interest has always been Repertory Theatre. At present Mrs. Tootell is on the Staff of the 'Whakatane Beacon" and we thank her for permission to reprint her article from the Bay of Plenty Times. Her son and daughter are in professional Theatre in London.
OUR CONTRIBUTOR - WALTER CHRISTIE, now 82 years of age, and living at Ngongotaha, has been a prolific writer over the years, many of his stories being broadcast in "Open Country" or published in the Weekly News. He spent his boyhood on River Road, Karangahake, the family being related to the Casleys and the Shepherds. (See Journal 14.) [see Journal 14: The Shepherd Family of Karangahake - E]